Close To 600,000 People Attended The Fleadh In Westmeath

Monday, 14 August 2023 14:42

It is estimated that over the last two years, the fleadh brought in €120m to the economy.

The Cathaoirleach of the Fleadh Executive Committee is hoping this year's event in Westmeath will be remembered as the best one ever to take place.

Joe Connaire says there were huge crowds in Mullingar over the last week, with pubs running out of drink on Saturday night and restaurants and chippers selling out of burgers.

He says the event over the last two years brought in an estimated €120m to the local economy.

Mr. Connaire says they brought new ideas to the table this year:

Meanwhile, Vice Chairman of the Fleadh Committee Willie Penrose says the anticipated attendance figures had been ’blown out of the water’.

Early in the week it became evident that the attendance would exceed the figure of 2022 and it is believed to be close to 600,000

This year, a number of competitions were live-streamed by TG4 increasing the worldwide reach of the event.

During the week, thousands of competitors from Ireland and abroad competed for All-Ireland titles.

Competitors came from Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, Poland, Germany, Spain, America, Australia, Japan, Chile and Hong Kong and a dance troupe from Singapore.

Hundreds of students took part in Scoil Éigse, where people of all ages and backgrounds could take part in music, singing, dancing and Irish language classes.

During the week, the Gradam Na hÉigse Award honoured the O’Meara brothers, the two Mullingar men who penned the famous song ‘Grace’ and Foster and Allen were recognised for their contribution to Irish Culture at the awards, the Ceannródaithe (Bardic) Awards acknowledged Joe Connaire’s contribution to the Fleadh in Mullingar.

The Kilfenora Ceíli band played at St. Paul's Church on Saturday night, with special awards given to the Mealy Family.

The CCÉ Prospectus ‘Connecting Communities Through Our Culture’ was launched by former President of Ireland Mary McAleese and her husband Martin McAleese.

Speaking about the event, the Árdstiúrthóir of Comhaltas Labhrás Ó Murchú said;

‘The Fleadh in Mullingar has been an outstanding success again this year and has greatly overshot our initial attendance estimations for the event. We are delighted to have welcomed so many newcomers to this yearly celebration, and to have reached even further to communities overseas. A true example of Irish culture connecting communities no matter where they are in the world. The Fleadh Executive Committee have outdone themselves over the past several years building up to this colossal event, we are delighted to pass the baton to the Wexford Committee for 2024’.